Black History Month is a celebration of the contributions of African Americans have made to our history and a time of deep reflection on the continued struggle for racial justice. 2020 has shown our society has fallen short on racial equality and justice. For Villanovans, we were confronted with our own inequalities with stories from @blackvillanova (Black at Villanova) on Instagram. The stories presented are a glaring reminder the work Villanova needs to work harder for better inclusion and equality. For the University Archives, this means continually striving towards the archives as a place that empowers and advocates increased representation in our historical record.

To learn more about the history of the black experience at Villanova and pay tribute to those who have shaped our community, you can explore:

MLK Speaking at Villanova, 1965

Nova Stories : Campus Life from the 1960s

Black Villanova: An Oral History Banner

Black Villanova: An Oral History

John “Chubby” Cox, 1973

Villanova Digital Library

Image can be found in the Villanova Athletics collection.

Though these stories only touch the surface of the black experience at Villanova, it’s an starting point to learn more about our history.

For more information on social, political sexual, racial, and gendered issues in today’s world, check out the Diversity and Inclusion Libguide.